Benchmark Wine Group is pleased to announce that it has named a customer and client,  Master Sommelier Jay James, as its next President. Jay brings nearly four decades of experience in all tiers of the fine and rare wine industry. “We selected Jay based on his unique experience in service,

Napa Valley's Somerston Estate hired Judd Wallenbrock as CEO. Over four decades, he has held influential roles, including global vice president of marketing at Robert Mondavi, president of Michel-Schlumberger, and president/CEO of C. Mondavi & Family. He also founded Humanitas Wines in 2001 as a social enterprise supporting charitable causes.

Arjun Dewan, executive vp-sales, Winebow Imports, will be in charge of all Winebow's sales divisions including broad market, chain retail and national accounts.  Erle Martin, executive vp-business development, will focus on growth initiatives including ecommerce and digital platforms.   As part of the realignment, Kristi Delovitch, a 14-year Winebow veteran, is

Danny Wirtz has been elevated to the role of Co-Chairman of Breakthru Beverage Groupu's Board of Managers. Danny, previously Vice-Chairman, succeeds his father, the late Rocky Wirtz and will join business partner Charlie Merinoff who also serves as Co-Chairman. The growth and success of Breakthru since we founded the company

We've seen more than our share of farewell's, but few as classy as Terry Wheatley, who stepped down as president at Vintage Wine Estates last week. Her message on LinkedIn: Gratitude to the VWE teams for nine years of innovation and brand building. We accomplished remarkable feats, broke barriers, and

Crew was slated to assume the CEO role on July 1, so this move simply advances her start date a bit.  The move was necessary because Diageo's current CEO, Ivan Menezes, has suffered complications after seeking medical treatment, which included surgery for a stomach ulcer.

Distill Ventures (DV) named Heidi Dillon chief executive officer, succeeding Frank Lampen who becomes Founder and Chair.   Since 2020, Dillon has successfully led DV’s US business, and as Chief Executive, she will build on her track record, keeping DV on the leading edge of emerging drinks trends and finding

Trinchero Family Estates reorganized its internal selling and marketing operation, naming Dave Derby senior vp-chief commercial officer.  He has been with TFE since 1997 and before that was with E&J Gallo.  He will head a unified sales and marketing organization and will continue to report to Bob Torkelson, CEO/

John Reardon has been hired as EVP, Breakthru Pennsylvania. He succeeds Christina Desmond, who was promoted to regional president-Central U.S.  Effective June 1, Reardon will report to Will Fulghom, Regional President, East U.S. He joins from E&J Gallo Winery, one of Breakthru's largest supplier partners, where he

WES Brands, the company launched after the $610 million sale to Diageo of Aviation American Gin, named Shawn Thurman as Chief Executive Officer, as well as a slate of significant executive hires: * Sean Penn to president/coo * Kyle Stein as President * Lauren Ryan-Kiyak as Senior VP-Marketing, and * Chris Jebbia as

Debra Crew, 52, who began her career as a U.S. Army intelligence officer, will become the chief executive officer of Diageo, plc. on July 1, succeeding Sir Ivan Menezes, who has decided to retire as CEO and to leave the Diageo board.  Crew will succeed Menezes on the Diageo

Wente Vineyards, America's longest, continuously operated family-owned winery, said Chairman of the Board and Fourth Generation Winegrower Carolyn Wente was selected by Dress for Success San Francisco as a 2023 Bay Area Woman in Power for its annual global campaign, Your Hour, Her Power. The Bay Area Women in Power

Winebow snags Jo Moak from Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, to be senior vp/general counsel, overseeing all legal and regulatory matters, including business agreements, state and federal compliance and corporate concerns. At WSWA, Moak had been EVP/general counsel. managing internal corporate legal matters, advising on legal and regulatory